     
Guest Book
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Welcome to my Web Site!
Hello my name is Michael McGloin and I am
from Sligo, Ireland. I was born and reared in a little place called
Wynnesfort, about 4 miles from
Sligo.
I lived there with my parents and my two sisters Anne & Mary. I went to
School in Rathcormac
N.S. and later moved to
St. John's Marist
Brothers School in Sligo town.
Music
was in our family. My grandfather played the fiddle and my father played the
accordion. Our house was a "Rambling House" where visiting neighbours would
call each Friday night to play music, sing songs, dance and tell stories. My
father taught me my first tune on the accordion when I was 6 yrs old. In
School I got lessons from Bro.Angelo and later from the late Great Alfie Joe
Dennien. As I never learned to read music I play my music by ear.
I
married Anne in March 1975, we have two girls Claudia & Lamisse.
I got
my first job from Tommy Devaney "Car Electric" as an auto electrician, and
then changed to a salesman travelling around the Northwest selling from a
catalogue and back to the motor trade again where I worked in the service
department in Henderson Motors Sligo.
For many years as well as my day job, I
played my music all around the North West of Ireland. I played with bands
like The Mellowtones, Ivy Leaf and Pearl Express. In 1990 after a lot of
encouragement from supporters, I became a One-Man-Band
called "Solton Sound".
This took me on a totally different
journey. The following year I recorded my first tape "Rose of My Heart"
which got airplay on local radio. This opened up new areas for me. I was
very lucky. I got bookings from Northern Ireland as well as the North West.
In the years that followed I recorded another 3 tapes: "You Are My Woman",
"Beautiful Sligo" and "From Sligo and Back". There was a lot of travelling
and not getting home most mornings until 6 or 7 o'clock. Then a quick change
of clothes and off to the day job. However I enjoyed every minute of it and
I hope I brought a little joy to those I came in contact with.
In 1997 it all started to go wrong when I
started to have difficulty breathing. As a result of smoking and playing in
smokey pubs, clubs, halls and community centres.
I Had my first Respiratory
Arrest on 10th October 1999. At that time I was diagnosed with having a Chronic
Lung Disease known as C.O.P.D. An umbrella name for Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease. This leaves you very breathless on exertion and is very
frightening.
I had to
give up my day job and playing my music which was the hardest of all.
However, I must have done something right because in September 2000 my good
friends organised a tribute night for me which was held in The Southern
Hotel Sligo. There were names like Martin Cuffe, Frank Nelson, J.P. Ruddy,
Gene Stewart, John Farry, Patricia Rogers and a host of local bands plus a
special appearance by Declan Nerney. A fabulous night was had by all but
unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend as I was in Hospital. I am very
grateful to the organising committee for the Tribute Night. I would like to
say a special thank you to Patricia Rogers and Bill Carney for their tribute
song. I would also like to say a big thank you to all the people who
supported me down through the years through hail, rain and snow. We will
meet again!
Although
I spent a lot of time in hospital, I always had it in mind that I was going
to record again and so against medical advice and against the odds I went
back to the recording studio and recorded a 14 track CD entitled "Against
The Odds". It was difficult but I am very happy with the results. I would
like to thank Percy Robinson and John McHugh for their time and patience.
The CD was launched in Kelly's Strandhill,
Sligo.
A great night was had by all and it was nice to meet so many friends and
supporters again. I long for the day that I may get back to playing music
again.
I have now been
referred for a lung transplant .
Well I had my lung transplant
evaluation in Sept. 2007 and February 2009 and again in April 2010 and I am now
on the transplant list
If you suffer with C.O.P.D./Emphysema I would
like to hear from you
michael@copdsupport.ie
Michael McGloin : Though I had smoked since I was 12, it never bothered me
until October 1979 when I got a bad cold/flu, I was a heavy smoker, I
couldn’t shake off the flu, and it stayed with me for the most of the winter
"Against The Odds"
Published by “The
Scene “ Oct. 2004
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